Tuesday, June 18, 2019

DIY Itinerary for a City Day Tour in BRUNEI

If I have to describe Brunei, I would
probably use the old adage “SMALL BUT TERRIBLE”. It's just a tiny
nation on Borneo Island, but small as it is, there's more to size
than meets the eye. If I have to be honest, Brunei is never on my
bucket list, but I had the chance to visit Brunei at the expense of
its Tourism Department, how should I say no, right?

I fell in love with Brunei while still
on board the Royal Brunei Airlines. I arrived at midnight, and while
I was still up there, I saw the beauty of the city. The lights in the
streets and few moving vehicles seem dancing. I like how everywhere I
look, there are trees and plants and forest areas. I was excited to
know more about Brunei, and when I finally landed, I know right there
and then that I will enjoy the trip.

I was lucky because I have few
acquaintances in Brunei who patiently waited for me at the airport.
They provided me a car and safely brought me to my accommodation. If
not for them, a commute at midnight would be challenging for me. At
the wee hours, there are no buses operating in the city. There's also
no grab car to hire. There are taxis available but very expensive. If
you are left with no choice, the only public transportation you could
ever take is a taxi, just prepare to pay the premium fare. However,
buses only cost 1 BND and it will take you anywhere within the city.

Brunei has a lot to offer to the
tourists, but in this particular post, I will share my personal DIY
itinerary for my one day city tour. This itinerary does not cover all
the places in Brunei, but since I only have one day to tour the city,
I only included the “MUST VISIT” places as far as my personal
opinion is concerned. Here it is.

7:00 – 8:00 – Preparation.
Breakfast. Etc.

8:00- 8:30- Trip to ROYAL REGALIA.

The Royal Regalia Museum

Take any bus to go to Royal Regalia.
All bus in Brunei will pass through Royal Regalia, and regardless of
the distance, bus fare is only 1 Brunei Dollar. Just tell the driver
you will get off at Royal Regalia Museum.

8:30-9:30 – Explore ROYAL REGALIA

Inside the Royal Regalia Museum

Royal Regalia is a museum
built to exhibit the memorabilia related to the Silver and Golden
Jubilee of Sultan. It also houses the artifacts, clothing, family
memorabilia and anything related to the Sultan and the royal family.

The museum can be explored for one hour
but it's very very very very strict inside. No shoes allowed, no
picture taking allowed, everybody is required to attend the tour
inside. Entrance fee is FREE.

9:30-10:00- Go to SULTAN OMAR
ALI SAIFUDDIEN MOSQUE

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

You will have thirty minutes to walk to
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. There's no grab in Brunei, Taxi is
very expensive, so I advise to just walk from museum to mosque since
it's just within the area. 30 minutes is too much time, but this may
require you to ask a local for the direction of the
mosque.

10:00-11:30- Explore SULTAN OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIEN
MOSQUE.

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Take your time, because every aspect of
this mosque is interesting, from the inside to the outside. Aside
from it being one of the famous attraction in the city of Bandar Seri
Begawan, it's also sacred because Muslim Community go to this place
to worship. This is considered as one of the most beautiful mosques
in the Asia Pacific.

11:30-12:30- YAYANGSAN COMPLEX

Lunch and explore Yayangsan Complex
which is just beside the mosque. You can check out local food (but
you can save this activity later today) or just dine in at fast food
in the area,i.e KFC, etc.

Aside from food, Yayasan Complex is
also a perfect place for shopaholics. You can also leisurely walk
around the complex because it has breathtaking building designs and
iconic architecture.

12:30-1:00 – Go to KAMPONG AYER

kampong ayer

Take Bus number 55 or Number 58 (taking
a bus in this area maybe a challenge), or for easier and free option,
you can just walk towards the dock where you can hire a boat to go to
water village(Kampong Ayer)

1:00-2:30-EXPLORE KAMPONG AYER

Kampong Ayer

Tour Kampong Ayer (water village) via
water taxi. One hour rent is 30 BND, boat can accomodate up to 2
people. If you come in a group, you can make a deal with the "water
taxi driver".

Dubbed as the Venice of the East, the
Kampong Ayer is one of the most interesting places in the city
because aside from it being one of the oldest settlements in Brunei,
it is situated in the Brunei river. Kampong Ayer literally means
“Water Village”, and just like any other villages, aside from
tradiitonal houses in Brunei, you can also see schools, police office
and other kind of establishments.

2:30-3:00- Travel to Jame'
Asr Hassanal Bolkia Mosque.

Jame' asr hassanal bolkiah mosque

You can take bus numbers 20, 22 or 1
from the bus terminal which is in the area of the water village. Ask
around about the location of bus terminal. Bus fare is only 1
BND.

3:00 to 4:00- Explore Jame' Asr Hassanal Bolkia Mosque

Jame' asr hassanal bolkiah mosque

Probably one of the most beautiful
mosques in Brunei, you will never get tired exploring this tourist
destination. It's like a paradise in the middle of the city because
aside from the very unqiue and attractive architectural design of the
mosque, it also boasts its garden and its surrounding. No wonder
this is considered to be one of the two national mosques of Brunei.

4:00 to 5:00 - One hour travel to Empire Hotel and Country
Club.

Empire Hotel and Country Club

The fare to the Empire Hotel may be
expensive because only Bus number 45 is available. The bus is in
schedule and only operate up to 4 pm. You may need to hire a taxi
which will cost you around 25 BND to go to empire hotel. The hotel is
also far from the city.

I have nothing to say about Empire
Hotel, it's simple awesome and I stand in awe of its beauty and
grandeur. I think everywhere you look is worth its instagram moment.
The Hotel is situated on a beach front, so it's a good spot to view
the sunset or even sunrise. The pool area and the restaurants are the
gems of the hotels. And oh by the way, you don't need to book a room
(because it's very expensive) to enjoy the good view of the hotel.
You just can't use the amenities if you're not booked, but it's good
enough to just explore the area.

7:00 to 8:00 - Hire a taxi to
go to Gadong Night Market.

Gadong Night Market

This may be a challenge for DIY-ers,
but the trick is, you may want to get the number of taxi driver that
brought you there and you can just contact them later on if you need
a ride to go back to the city.

8:00 to 9:00- Food trip at
Gadong Night Market.

Food trip at Gadong Night Market

At Gadong Night Market, you can try the
different local food in their food court. From street food like Tofu
Cheese to Nasi Katok for as low as 1 BND. In this place, you'll see
different foods coming from different district of Brunei. A perfect
place for the gastronomes. You can also shop to the nearby Gadong
Mall.

9:00- Hire a taxi to go home
because no more buses are operating at this hour.